At their Founder's Dinner April 27, 2014, Urban Ministries of Durham, the shelter in downtown Durham that Ben supported tirelessly for 20 years, announced that Ben has bequeathed $100,000 to them from his estate. This is the largest single gift they have received in their 30 year history and forms the foundation of a new fundraising effort by Urban Ministries as they seek to build upon the Benjamin Ward Endowment. Last year, Urban Ministries was able to assist 245 individuals and families in the transistion from homelessness to the stability of a home and employment in addition to serving over 600,000 meals to the homeless in Durham.

Robert and Debbie Rosenstein, Carol and I are pictured with the Director of Urban Ministries, Patrice Nelson, immediately following the announcement of Ben's gift. -Kurt Uphoff